Three Wars, Three Memorial Crosses: A Family's Journey

Of Service and Sacrifice

Harold Leduc, MMM, CD, MA

As Remembrance Day draws near, I find myself immersed in a solemn contemplation of the enduring legacy of service and sacrifice that has coursed through the veins of my family for generations. This profound journey traces its roots all the way back to 1691 when my first ancestor arrived in Canada, New France, as a devoted soldier. Over the centuries, this noble tradition of service and sacrifice has become an indelible part of our family's DNA.

Yet, in this reflective exploration, we shall embark on a poignant odyssey, commencing with the story of my grandparents, Ovila Leduc, a veteran of both World War One and World War Two, and his Scottish war bride from the First World War, Johan Douglas of Inverness, Scotland.

World War One

Before the paths of my grandparents crossed, tragedy had already cast its shadow upon our family during the harrowing days of World War One. My grandfather's brother, Donat Leduc, made the ultimate sacrifice, laying down his life as a valiant member of the 14th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, known as the Royal Montreal Regiment. It was on the 7th of September 1916, amidst the muck and perilous battles around Mouquet Farm in France, that Donat met his untimely end. His body was never recovered, but his name lives on, etched into the Vimy Monument in France (above photo). The Government of Canada presented his next of kin with the Memorial Cross in recognition of this sacrifice.

?Shortly after this heart-wrenching loss, my grandfather, then a lumberjack, answered the call of duty, joining the 224th Battalion of the Canadian Forestry Corps. He was stationed amidst the serene woodlands of Cawdor Castle in Nairn, Scotland, for the duration of the war. It was here, during one of the dances organized by the locals, that he found solace and love in the arms of my grandmother. They wed in December 1918, uniting two souls acquainted with service and sacrifice. My grandmother's stepbrother, John Cormack, had also paid the ultimate price as a member of the 1st Bn, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, on 11 November 1914. His name is inscribed on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

Their first child, Donat Leduc, came into the world in Scotland, a testament to the enduring spirit of resilience and hope that accompanies the darkest of times.

World War Two

Ovila and Johan went on to have eleven children: seven sons and four daughters. Ovila, once again, heeded the call of duty as World War Two loomed on the horizon. Despite his age, he joined the Veterans Guard of Canada, stationed in and around Montreal. His eldest son, Donat, served with the Service Corps in Montreal, while the next eldest son, Alexander, enlisted in the First Battalion of the Royal 22nd Regiment. Tragically, he succumbed to his wounds sustained on the Senio River in northern Italy during the Italian campaign on March 23, 1945. He now rests in the Brookwood Military Cemetery, Surrey, Woking, England. My father was a year too young to serve in WWII, but the flames of service still burned brightly within our family. My grandmother was presented his next of kin with the Memorial Cross in recognition of this sacrifice.

In Scotland, my grandmother's brother, George, joined the 4th Bn of the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, becoming a Prisoner of War in St Valery, France. His survival amidst abhorrent conditions, starvation, and death marches from St Valery to Poland and back stands as a testament to the indomitable human spirit.

?The Korean War

In the years that followed, my father, Charles Leduc, answered the nation's call once more, enlisting in the 2nd Battalion of the Royal 22nd Regiment as part of the special force established for the Korean War. He emerged from the crucible of battle, but his health bore the scars of his service. In the end, it was cancer that claimed him, a silent and enduring reminder of the sacrifices he had made in Korea. The Memorial Cross was presented to his family in recognition of that sacrifice.

.The Canadian Armed Forces: Post Korean War

My father's commitment to service persisted as he continued to serve with the Canadian Armed Forces, 2nd Battalion of the Royal 22nd Regiment, even after the Korean War. He was stationed in Germany as part of NATO. His brother, Raymond, contributed to the Signal Corps, while another brother, Robert, served with the Black Watch of Canada.

?In Scotland, my grandmother's brother, George, witnessed a similar dedication to service in his three sons—George, William, and Harold—all serving during National Service, as did her youngest brother, Harold, and his son, George.

?UN and NATO Service

In keeping with our cherished family tradition, my brother and I embraced military service; he was a LoadMaster in the Air Force, and I was a member of the PPCLI and Canadian Airborne Regiment. Together, we ventured on peacekeeping missions and served with NATO, striving to carry forward the torch of hope and resilience that has illuminated our family's path.

?Passing the Torch

In the present day, the legacy endures as my youngest sister's daughter, stands on the precipice of completing Canadian Armed Forces Basic Training, ready to shoulder the responsibilities of service with the same spirit that has guided our family for generations.

?In conclusion, the story of my family is one of unwavering dedication, sacrifice, and an enduring commitment to the service of our nation, shared by many. From the battlefields of centuries past to the modern era of UN and NATO service, our family's journey has been marked by courage, resilience, and hope for a better world. As we commemorate Remembrance Day, we honour not only the memory of those who gave their all but also the enduring spirit of service that continues to thrive within our family, lighting the way for future generations to come.

“Too Dearly Loved to Be Forgotten

In Silence We Remember Thee

Rest In Peace”

?